That's not bashing, not even close. But you're right on. I have a feeling this one will be decided in the SP.

If this is decided in the short program, I suspect Cohen has a great chance, is she can just skate a clean short, she may be in 2nd or 3rd after the short program. That'll be tough for her, but her specialty was the short program - time and time again she was able to focus for the 2:40.

Prediction: Her earned PCSs in the short program will carry over and her mistakes in the long will not be magnified and she'll hold onto third.

Since reputation is still paramount in figure skating, she'll need be 3rd or 4th here to squeeze into the B group (Rochette, Ando, Nakano). Otherwise she might get stuck in the C group (too many names to list).

While S/S don't really need to be explained, I think the fact that D/D have had a massive headstart on their long program combined with M/T generally having difficulty with the long is the reason I'm going with these placements.

Hopes: That D/D really do well. They show us that they can add the technical difficulty they'll need to do well this upcoming season and that keeping their long wasn't a mistake. Also that Bonheur and James do well (are they eligible to compete at the Olympics? Does she have French citizenship?)

Dance
1. Virtue/Moir
2. Pechalat/Bourzat
3. Kerr/Kerr

I'm curious if Samuelson/Bates can make a charge for third, or if their ascension will be post Olympics.

Hopes: That Pechalat/Bourzat come up with a routine I like. I loathed their circus free dance last year to the point where I'm pretty sure I underrated the skating. I just didn't get it. Also, that the Hubbells bring it.

Mens
1. Brian Joubert
2. Tomas Verner
3. Nobunari Oda

You know, for all the focus on the women's, I think this is an equally challenging field. While I think if Joubert/Verner/Oda skate their best they'll be the podium, I think Rippon, Preaubert, and Ponsero are virtually tied (their personal bests last season come within three points of each other), with Voronov and Chipeur within striking distance if/when one falters. I'm ranking Joubert first simply because I think he feels he has something to prove after Worlds.

Hopes: That Chipeur brings it. That second slot in Canadian men's seems to be wide open and of the contenders, I'm rooting for him the most. Also that Rippon has a good senior grand prix debut.

Womens
1. Yu-Na Kim
2. Mao Asada
3. Yukari Nakano

Kim and Asada are one-two for obvious reasons (at this early point, knowing absolutely nothing about their programs/health etc). Nakano's just a gut feeling. I don't think Kostner will be able to overcome her issues quickly enough to challenge for a medal in this field; Cohen's been away for so long that I can't imagine her being hugely successful... so it's between Nakano and Zhang, and I think the former will do it.

Hopes: That Asada and Kim tie. Could you imagine the reaction from their fanbases if that happened?

The thing I noticed about Samuelson and Bates, is that he has stepped up his game and has taken charge of the team. I know some people think because of Women's Lib that the female could also take the lead in a dance couple, I take the view that the Follow in dance is equally important. Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did and she did it backwards and in heels. He would not have looked as good if she was not capable of that.

NB: There's a chance for Joubert to WD, if he bombs in September's Masters, i.e. loses to Ponsero, Preaubert and Amodio and needs more time to work on his fancy free program and costume. But he'll be OK toward the end of the season.

NB: There's a chance for Joubert to WD, if he bombs in September's Masters, i.e. loses to Ponsero, Preaubert and Amodio and needs more time to work on his fancy free program and costume. But he'll be OK toward the end of the season.

Mmmm. It would take something really important for Brian to withdraw from the TEB, as for him it's one of the most important competitions, it being in France. He'd either have to be injured, ill or really, and I mean really, not prepared.

Mmmm. It would take something really important for Brian to withdraw from the TEB, as for him it's one of the most important competitions, it being in France. He'd either have to be injured, ill or really, and I mean really, not prepared.

More than likely he'll be there along with his father who hates figure skating. Hope this doesn't bother Brian. Rumor had, it did bother him the past.